I have always been very lovey and HL. Not long after we got married, sex started happening less and less. He always seemed to struggle to say I love you but I chalked it up to having a different love languages. However, I still always said it to him, I kept giving him hugs and kisses and trying to initiate sex. IF he said it back at all (he NEVER once said it first), he would say it in a childish voice or wouldn't enunciate his words so it was like he wasn't really saying it. I told him that hurt me, but he continued doing it for years. Then finally this year, I decided I had enough. I deserve to feel wanted, loved, and desired. I started pulling away and have been less and less affectionate. Two weeks ago I finally stopped saying I love you entirely and initiating any sort of physical contact. Yesterday he told me he loved me twice (in a normal voice and completely unprompted) and he kissed me goodnight (the good forehead kind that I love the most). And... I cried myself to sleep.

Why now? I had to fight for any and all contact and affection for years. But now that I've decided to try and move on and work to become more independent so I can leave, is when he wants to try?

Screw him.